Wednesday, April 23, 2008

About two years ago my Godmother and Aunt, Carol lost her husband to cancer. Uncle Karl was such an amazing person. He was a wonderful artist, a great listener and he was lots and lots of fun. I remember sitting on the porch with him and we would have 'just one more beer' or 'just one more cigarette.' One would turn into three and we'd talk for an hour or more. He was a great listener and a great story teller. Uncle Karl had been so many places and had such wonderful experiences, I loved to hear his wild stories. When Karl was diagnosed with cancer, he didn't take the diagnosis laying down. When he realized that his cancer was terminal, he decided that he was going to enjoy what time he had left. In true Karl fasion, Carol and Karl packed up their Durango and headed out on a cross country trip. He made it all the way to California before he finally passed. Karl was extremely important to me and as I write this, I find myself tearing up. I will miss all the good times, but I know he is truly in a better place. And I'm positive that part of his spirit lives on in Adelae. She was conceived around the same time he passed. When I see her dancing to Jimmy Buffet or coloring on her sketch pad, I think "Karl lives on in her" and it makes me smile.

Aunt Carol does the Relay for Life every single year. She walks for not only Karl, but also for all those people that we have lost to cancer. I have added an email that she sent to me. If you can, please donate some money to help this wonderful wonderful event.

In a few short weeks, (May 16 & 17) I'll be gathering with my fellow ParrotHeads to partake in the 2008 American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. Once again, we'll put aside the margaritas and join with teams of families, friends and coworkers to honor the survivors of cancer and remember those who we have lost to this terrible disease. For those unfamiliar with Relay For Life, this year we have 32 teams taking part. During the 18 hours of Relay, each team has members who walk the perimeter of the track at our county fairgrounds. The luminarias line the inside of the track and are lit in a ceremony after dark. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday with the Survivor's Lap and from then until noon on Saturday, we are on that track. There are a variety of activities and foods available and a DJ who entertains us with music all night long. My team sells Cheeseburgers on Friday evening and leis on both days that can be worn or placed with a luminaria. (I've attached a few pictures from last year.)Last year, with your help, we surpassed our goal and our team raised over $3200! I'm reaching out to you again, asking for your donation. You can help us make our goal and you will support research, prevention, early detection and an improved quality of life for cancer patients.

Any amount is appreciated. If you'd like to honor or memorialize someone, Luminarias may be purchased for $10.00. (Please specify with their name.)If you are able to help, send your donations to me at PO Box 438, Payne, OH 45880 but make your check out to the American Cancer Society.Luminaria deadline is May 8th. All other donations are due by May 16th.Thanks for taking the time to make a difference!Together, we can fight back against a disease that takes too much.Fins Up!Carol

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I'm glad that we have a plan now. At least a loose one. We're almost positive we'll be moving to New Haven when our lease is up here. I'm really really hoping we can find a decent house to rent. Adelae is so active that we really need a backyard for her to run and play in. Not to mention, it would be nice to have a little bit of privacy. New Haven seems like a nice small community, but we'd only be about 10 minutes outside of Fort Wayne. Also, it's about 1/2 way between my family Payne and Broughton and my mom. Ben's drive to work would be about the same. This was our original Plan B, so now it's Plan A. I'm still working on an alternate Plan B.

Ben's been working extra hard the last few weeks. He's been working at least 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. It's really taking a toll on him and us too. He's such a hard worker and wants to be an excellent provider for his family. I'm putting an ad in the Journal Gazette (the Ft Wayne paper) advertising my childcare services and I'm hoping that will give me some great leads. I'm almost positive I'll be going back to substitute teaching in the fall. Since Ben will be working weekends still, I'll be able to work during the week and we won't need to worry about daycare. I love staying at home, but we're barely keeping our heads above water. With the extra money, we're hoping to pay off bills and set some aside. We'd like to buy a house eventually, so we need to save up some money for a down payment.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I taught Adelae how to wink a few days ago. I must say it's pretty darn cute! She doesn't have it quite down yet, but she will very soon. Her hair is also getting long enough to pull into pigtails. It was so stinkin' cute, I just had to take a video!

Friday, April 18, 2008

This morning at 5:38 am there was a 5.2 earthquake in Salem IL. I'm not sure how far that is from Ft Wayne, but several people I know felt the quake. I woke up about that time, but I'm not really sure why. I wasn't quite coherent that early in the morning. I heard something, and immediately checked to see if Ben was in bed. I was worried he was running late for work. He wasn't there, and I immediately fell back asleep. Now I'm wondering if the earthquake is what woke me up. I'm sure the cat was freaking out! I just can't believe that an earthquake that severe happened in IL! How crazy! I always associate earthquakes with California. This is the link from one of our local new stations.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Ben received a letter in the mail yesterday stating that he had not made it any further in the application process for BP. It's a hard blow to take. It seems like when we get our sights set on someting, it never quite works out for us. It sounds awfully whiney doesn't it? :) So, for the time being, we're stuck in Fort Wayne. It's still not my favorite place and it's not the place I want to stay forever, but I guess it will have to do for now. We're hoping to rent a house when our lease is up in this apartment. Adelae really needs a little more room to run and I would prefer not to have to dodge other peoples dog poop. We're thinking of looking around in New Haven and possibly in the Waynedale area. Ben is thinking of asking for a raise at work and I'm going to go back to substitute teaching in the fall. I'll probably pick up some more kids to watch over the summer to help us get by.

Monday, April 7, 2008

We've had some amazing weather the last few days. Our thermometer says it reached 70 yesterday! Adelae and I were just DYING to get outside. We went for a nice long walk and played at the little playground in the apartment complex. Adelae LOVES to watch the ducks and go down the slides. My little one has no fear at all! She'd almost rather walk down the slide than actually slide down it. And she has decided that she can do it all by herself. No help from mommy is needed.

These are a few of the pictures I took yesterday. You can see the rest at www.ftwaynecollinses.shutterfly.com

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Lots of you have been asking if we've heard from BP yet. The answer is NO! We're still waiting and waiting and waiting. I think they'll let him know either way, so we're just waiting on a phone call or a letter or something. I'm starting to get a little anxious. Our lease is up in about 3 1/2 months and we really need to start looking for a place sooner rather than later. I was hoping we could move to a place with a yard, but it's all on hold for right now. Thank you all for your good thoughts. I'll keep everyone posted!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Before I was a mom I had a definate idea of the things I would never allow my kid to do. Well, almost 14 months later, I realize that it has all changed! Actually, the slide started almost from the minute she was born.

Things I swore would never happen:Sleeping in my bedBeing addicted to the bottleHave to be rocked to sleepRun around in a dirty diaperWear a "leash"Screech over and over again in public placesRun around the house with snacks of any kindWatch too much TVNot listenNot eat meals

Things that have happened:She slept in our bed for 4 monthsWon't sleep without a bottle firstAbsolutely has to be rocked to sleep. No questionHmm...is that poopy I smell?I'm seriously considering buying a harness. Like a leash, but with a more PC name.Screeching...all the time! I think she likes the sound of her own voice.Oh yeah, she loves to carry around her graham crackers. No sitting still for my little one!Too much TV...well, not too much, but The Backyardigans and Diego are definately our friends.Not listening...I guess it comes with the territory. She's normally pretty good, unless it's something she doesn't want to do.Eating has always been a challenge. Adelae has her ideas of what's good and what's not. There is no possible way to make her anything she doesn't want to eat.

That said, there are lots of things that I swore she would do, and she does. Only if she feels like it of course! There are days when she tests my patience to it's fullest. I'm not a patient person, but I'm learning. I think it's so funny that I had such a perfect ideal image of what motherhood would be like. Lots of cuddles, snuggles and giggles. I sort of forgot about the temper tantrums and the idiosyncracies that make us all human. I know that I am blessed to have such a wonderful little girl, but would it be too much to ask for the kid to nap once in awhile?! :) I've been told that she has the disposition of her mother. If that's the case, I have a feeling we're in for a tough road ahead. I'm looking forward to it though. Now if we could just get her to say MaMa! Remember the screeching? And temper tantrums...Yup..there's one in full force right now. Looks like Diego's over and so is the graham cracker. Time to go play blocks...again! :)